Action Comics #1007: Faith to KaliYouToo!

The ‘Leviathan Rises’ arc from Bendis and Epting begins in Action Comics #1007 as Jimmy Olsen stumbles into a cult’s conspiracy against humanity and Superman’s kindness entangles him in yet another mystery!

It doesn’t take long to see that Action Comics #1007 is setting up both an expansive and layered story. Told through three separate narratives including Olsen, Lane and Superman, the issue introduces multiple conflicts that all seem ready to converge at any moment. Beginning with such a heavy focus on Jimmy Olsen is certainly an interesting way to kick things off, but Lois Lane’s conversation with her father is the emotional core of the issue. Her confession about her husband and the father to his grandson, Superman, is too much to handle and his silent exit promises much more to come.

We finish the issue with Superman’s rescue of Amanda Waller, the leader of Task Force X. On its own, the few pages of story featuring Superman are actually quite entertaining, showing a joyful Superman cheered on by the city then quickly rushed into action by a citizen in need. When we discover the person to be Waller, however, the story immediately deepens. Her involvement is almost never a good thing, and the explosion that soon follows drives this point home.

Overall, the issue does a solid job in laying the foundation for a truly interesting story. As an introduction into a much larger arc, it is very compelling, but as a single issue, it does feel slightly erratic in its structure. After a number of issues focusing on setting up the Red Cloud as a villain in Metropolis, we are now thrust into a new storyline that is setting up “the most dangerous secret in the DC Universe”.

The artwork from Steve Epting, Brad Anderson and Josh Reed features very little to complain about, but the story also doesn’t allow much of an opportunity to shine apart from Superman’s rescue attempt. The rush into action was done particularly well, especially being confined to only a couple of pages.

With a potentially deadly new mystery being introduced, Olsen’s concern about who may be apart of Kobra now lingers behind each character’s motive. It is in this level of unknown that Action Comics #1007 works best.

Hopefully the creative team can keep up the momentum and deliver an engaging arc with Leviathan Rises!